Ice-cutting machine



E. H. FRANKAMP.

ICE cunmc mcnms.

. APPLICATION FILED AUG-h 19]!!- 1,328,372, Patented Janp20, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET L wlmssses E. H. FRANKAMP.

ICE CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. I, ma.

1,328,372, Patented Jan. 20,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- I M a I awuewtoz WH'NESS ES PATENT QFFICE.

ERNEST H. FRANKAMP, OF REPUBLIC, KANSAS.

ICE-CUTTING MACHINE.

Specification 0 Application filed August To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST H. FRANKAMP, a citizen of the United States,residing at Republic, in the county of Republic and State of Kansas,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ice-CuttingMachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to ice cutting machines, and has forits primary object to generally simplify and improve the constructionand operation of such devices, as well as to increase their efiiciency.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ice cutting machineof such construction that the same may be easily moved across thesurface of a frozen pond or river without the aid of draft animals,-andwhich may be accurately guided and controlled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter stated which is equipped with improved means for moving thecutting element into or out of contact with the ice.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved guidingmeans in connection with the ice cutting machine, which insures thelatter of cutting blocks of uniform width.

With these objects in view together with others which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the novel formation,combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described morefully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointedout in the claims.

In the drawings I Figure 1 is a side elevation of an ice cut tingmachine embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon line 22 ofFig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a detail fragmentary perspective view of a portion of theguide apparatus, and

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the improved ice cutting machine. v

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 5 indicates generallythe body of the vehicle constituting a part of the invention. Thisvehicle includes the body frame as shown having depending from the sidesthereof, the supporting runners 6, so that the apparatus may be easilydrawn over the ice, a handle or tongue 7 being secured to Patented Jan.20, 1920.

Serial No. 247,832.

f Letters Patent.

one end of the vehicle to facilitate this operation.

Pivoted as at 8 to the rear end of the sled or vehicle, is a frame 9which carries the cutting mechanism. The rear end of this cutter framesupports the laterally disposed shaft 10, to one end of which is securedthe circular ice cutting saw 11, while the opposite end of the shaft isprovided with a belt pulley 12. This pivotal mounting of the cutterframe 9 permits of the latter swinging in a vertical plane. I

Mounted at the rear end of the vehicle 5 and intermediate thelongitudinal edges thereof, is the upstanding supporting post 13 to theupper end of which is pivoted a controlling arm 14:. It will be observedthat this controlling arm is pivoted to the post above the upper surfaceof the vehicle, and the pivot for the same is supported by a strut 15connected to the vehicle body. The upper portion of the arm 14 isconnected with the cutter frame 9 by means of links 16, and it istherefore obvious that swinging movement of the lever 14 will cause thecutter frame to raise or lower. In order that the operator of thevehicle at the forward end thereof may control the movements of thecutter frame, a hand operated lever 17 is provided. This lever ispivoted as at 18 to the forward end of the vehicle frame and is equippedwith a pawl 19 to engage with the segment 20. The hand lever 17 isconnected with the movable arm 14 by a link 21.

The guide mechanism for the vehicle includes a pair of arms 22 extendingoutwardly from one side of the vehicle in spaced parallel relation andthese arms are swingingly mounted upon the vehicle. In the presentinstance, these arms are turned inwardly at their inner ends as shown at23, and these inturned ends are rotatably mounted in posts 24 upon theside of the vehicle. 22 are connected by a strut 24' and this strut isbraced by a brace arm 25. The guide elements include a pair of blademembers 26, one loosely arranged upon each of the arms 22. These blademembers are connected by rods 27 so that the same are at all timesfirmly maintained in proper position. Each of the arms 22 is providedwith threads as shown, and clamping nuts 28 are arranged in spacedrelation upon the arms,

The arms and one upon each side of each of the blade members 26. Fromthis construction, it is obvious that the blade or gage elements 26 maybe adjusted longitudinally of the arms 22 by simply operating theclamping nuts 28.

Arranged upon the side of the sled and intermediate the forward and rearedges thereof is a post 35, to the upper end of which is secured thehorizontally disposed beam 36. The outer end of this beam extends overthe bars 27 connecting the guide or blade elements 26, and a cord orcable 37 is connected at one end to one of the said rods and extendsupwardly therethrough and then passes through an eye 38 secured to theouter end of the said beam 36. The cable 37 then extends forwardly andlaterally through suitable eyes upon the vehicle and is connected to thelink 21 which establishes connection between the arm 14 and lever 17. Bymeans of the cord 37, the operator of the cutting machine is enabled toeasily raise the guide mechanism, it being understood that the latterswings upon the angularly disposed portions 23 of the arms 22.

The power employed for driving the circular saw 11 is derived from amotor indicated conventionally at 39. This engine may be 'of anyapproved type, and is positioned upon the sled or vehicle. The bandwheel 40 of the engine has a belt 41 passing thereover, the said beltalso passing over the belt pulley 12 upon the shaft 10. A belt tightener42 is mounted upon one side of the vehicle and in direct line betweenband wheel l0 and pulley 12, and this tightener maintains the belt inproper tension.

In operation, the vehicle is moved out upon the surface of the ice andthe engine is started. When the vehicle is in the proper position tocut, the hand lever 17 is operated so as to move the saw frame 9downwardly,

whereupon the rapidly rotating saw 11 comes into contact with thesurface of the ice. The depth of cut of the saw, will of course, dependupon the diameter of the saw and also upon the degree of verticaladjustment of the saw frame 9. Thus started, the vehicle is drawn at theproper speed over the ice. l/Vhen one out has been made in the ice,

j the vehicle is moved so that the blades 26 will engage within the saidout, it being understood that the gages have been adjusted properlybefore being inserted into the groove, The engagement of the blades inthe preceding cut will properly guide the ve hlcle, so that cuts spaceduniform distances apart will be made. This op i n i ntinued until asufficient number of cuts have been made in the ice. Should it bedesired to vary the distance between cuts, the adj usting nut 28 may beloosened and the blades 26 moved longitudinally uponthe sup? portingarms 22. WVhen it is desired to discontinue the operation of themachine, the hand lever 17 is moved forwardly, whereupon the saw frame 9is caused to swing upwardly to disengage the cutting blade 11 from theice. The guide blades 26 may be disengaged from the ice by pulling uponcord or cable 37.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided an ice cuttingmachine of extremely simple and inexpensive construction and which maybe operated and maintained at exceedingly low cost. The various partsconstituting the machine are of simple character and may be readilyassembled or taken apart, and the said parts cannot become readilydisordered or deranged.

The foregoing description and the drawings have reference to what may beconsidered the preferred or approved form of my invention. It is to beunderstood that I may make such changes in construction and arrangementand combination of parts, materials, dimensions, etc., as may proveexpedient and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an ice cutting machine, a mainframe, a cutter frame, pivoted to an end of the main frame, a guideframe pivoted to a side of the main frame, an operating lever, andconnecting means between the operating lever and the cutter and guideframes for effecting simultaneous movement of the cutter and guideframes.

2. In an ice cutting machine, a main frame, a cutter frame pivoted to anend of the main frame, a guide frame pivoted to a side of the mainframe, an operating lever, connecting means between the lever and cutter frame including an arm and link, and a flexible connection betweenthe said link and guide frame, the pivots being disposed to admit of thecutter and guide frames being simultaneously operated by means of thesaid lever.

In testimony whereof'I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ERNEST H. FRANKAIVIP.

Witnesses:

J. W. WER'rs, BERTHA TOBIN.

